Alnylam posts more positive flu data

New data from several ongoing respiratory disease programs including pandemic flu, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) were presented at the American Thoracic Society's international congress in San Diego, California.

At the meeting, Alnylam presented preclinical data on identification of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), the molecules that mediate RNAi, that demonstrate potent anti-viral activity across multiple strains of flu. In particular, Alnylam scientists and collaborators demonstrated in vitro anti-viral activity toward a human clinical isolate of the H5N1 virus. These potent effects toward H5N1 were achieved with multiple siRNAs that also showed anti-viral activity toward other flu strains.

The Alnylam pandemic flu program, in collaboration with Novartis, is focused on the development of RNAi therapeutics targeting sequences that are common to all flu genomes, including those of avian origin such as the H5N1 strain.

Based on these results and other research, Alnylam also announced that its flu drug candidate will include two siRNAs targeting different genes within the influenza virus designed to achieve the broadest spectrum of anti-viral activity, while diminishing the likelihood of viral resistance.

“There is significant need for novel therapeutics to effectively treat respiratory viral infections as they are a leading cause of serious disease and mortality worldwide,” said Dr Ralph Tripp, of the University of Georgia's department of infectious diseases. “I continue to be encouraged by the progress Alnylam is making in the area of developing RNAi therapeutics for the treatment of these important diseases, such as RSV and pandemic flu.”